See You Soon
It’s not goodbye, it’s see you soon.
When I was a little girl, I used to create live news VHS tapes in my basement. My pretend news anchor name was, creatively, Murphy Red, and I converted my whole family into cameramen, producers and even occasionally would let my brother play sports anchor. It was then that I chose my career in journalism and my path was set. UCONN Journalism followed by free intern work while I side hustled to make rent gave me enough taped content to send out 150 demo reels. 150 demo reels led to one job offer in Monroe LA. 2 years later, WFSB gave me an opportunity to move back yo the State I love and now 15 years after that, I find myself staring a whole set of new realities right in the face. Yesterday was my last day as a television journalist in CT. After more than 20 years of hustling, 2am wake calls, reporting traffic in blizzards and staking claim to an important white studio couch, it’s time to hang up the IFB.
First, thank you for inviting me into your homes. There is a trusting relationship between journalist and viewer and I always took that seriously. It was an honor to be the voice of your early mornings and lunch hours and I’ll always have fond memories of meeting many new friends as I traveled around the State. Over the last 15 years, I went from young and wild to meeting the man I love to getting married to having and now raising two incredible children. You even watched when I got a brand new metal hip! You all helped shape my life as it unfolded and I’m very simply full of gratitude.
But, its time for the next stop on this journey. If the pandemic taught us anything, we learned what’s important, and for me that’s family. I want to spend more time with my children. We also saw the world change more in the last year than in the previous 10 combined. I became more and more aware that people are no longer getting their information from the screen on the wall. I was watching the viewer evolve and felt a strong pull to evolve with it. I want to continue being a trusted voice but want to be that voice on the platforms where your eyes are naturally focusing. Last week, I started Teresa Dufour Media where I will be working with brands, businesses, not for profits and social influencers that I respect and trust. My production team and I will be making high quality digital content to help keep you informed on the things that matter around our communities. This time, I get to be my own boss. I get to choose who I work with, what’s important for me to work on and what stories I want to help craft and tell in a meaningful way.
I’ve already teamed up with a number of CT organizations that I trust and respect. I only plan on working with one or two more clients. If you’re interested in what I’m building or just want to learn more, bounce around the website. I am a unique balance of trained tv professional that also understands where viewers’ eyeballs are today and how to capture them. It’s the 2021 solution to growing awareness you didn’t even know you even needed!
Regardless of your business need, please stay in touch. I have loved getting to know so many of you and don’t want that to stop. Please send me an email Teresa@teresadufour.com to say hi and share your life stories with me.
As they say In the news business, that’s a hard wrap. Ending This is bittersweet for me, but I leave excited to watch my babies grow up and be a part of their lives and excited to try my hand at entrepreneurship. For now, thank you all from the bottom of my heart, for tuning in, for watching me grow up, for being my cheerleaders, my motivators and my friends.